Homegrown Music Festival

The Homegrown Music Festival is an annual community celebration of the original and diverse music of Duluth, Minn. and its surrounding communities. What started in 1999 with five acts has matured in its 20th year to an eight-day community-wide local music, arts and cultural extravaganza.

DAY ONE: OPENING CEREMONIES

The onset of the Homegrown holiday week happens earlier than ever this year. The World Beat Drummers jump start the Children’s Music Showcase at 10:30 a.m. at Lake Superior Zoo, an appropriate new venue for wee wild ones. The family-friendly extravaganza features six back-to-back acts and a slate of kid-appropriate activities. The adult beverage portion of the fest begins at Blacklist Artisan Ales at 5 p.m. Go there to peep at pics from Homegrowns past and get swept up in the swanky sounds of Owls Club Big Band. At 7 p.m., the official kickoff and mayor’s reception happens in the expansive beer hall at Hoops Brewing. Master Brewer Dave Hoops is hyped to host again. Hoops will be crafting a hoppy brew for the occasion to honor Mayor Emily Larson. Mayor Larson takes the role of opening the fest seriously and intends to usher it in Marie Kondo style, sparking joy in festival goers with a method not yet determined at the time of interview. Larson offers some practical advice for Homegrown novices. “There will always be the big shows everyone knows about. Be open to the unexpected magic that happens when you walk into a venue you’re not quite sure about to see a band you don’t know.” Post mayoral proclamation, Cyr and Kitchen Shoes will entertain taproom patrons. Teatro Zuccone and Blacklist will host an eclectic trio of bands and brainiacs can flex their knowledge at Carmody Irish Pub with the Homegrown Pub Quiz. Per usual, Pizza Lucé is the place for the Sunday’s late-night scene with a diverse bill of newbies, from polka punk to hip-hop and garagicana.